Help with an article for the International Herald Tribune

Welcome to Expat.com Journalistmom,

I stick this thread !

hope this helps,

Julien

Wheels on cases are great in the airport.
Useless on pot holed roads with no sidewalk.
Rucksacks are far better.

We travel a lot with our now 2.5 year old (frequent flights and bus/train trips from 4 months old onwards) - no special kids gear needed.
We also met a couple on a round-the-world backpacking trip with their 2 year old girl - again nothing more than a normal household would have, plus an open mind and a talent for improvisation.
All the branded stuff only helps the makers/dealers fill their pockets.

We have an infant and a two year old, and what works best for us is a baby bjorn (or similar carrier) for the youngest to keep the hands free, and a lightweight stroller for the older that folds up well to fit in small spaces (restaurants, closets, takes up less space in car) but has space for stuff underneath. Our backpack carrier almost always comes with as well, for those trips when a stroller is not practical. Feel free to contact me for brands. As far as tips go, be flexible, always carry with snacks and a drink for the toddler (because an angry two year old is no fun!), plan kid-friendly stops between the adult interests and give everthing extra time!

mas fred wrote:

Wheels on cases are great in the airport.
Useless on pot holed roads with no sidewalk.
Rucksacks are far better.

I've only been to Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia.
That's three countries where a wheeled case would half kill you once out of the airport.
Best we've found is 'soft' luggage within hand luggage specifications.
Mine is bigger than allowed but, being soft, squashes down to hand luggage size. When we land, I bung the lot into my bag and carry all while my wife hangs on to the kid.
Works a treat.